“He was living in Shrewsbury at the start but he moved back home to Liverpool halfway through the season. It wasn’t quite every day because we used to stay in a hotel on a Friday – a little treat for us.

“We spent a lot of time together and it’s been confirmed that we will be room-mates for our first Ipswich game at Rotherham on Saturday.

“But I wouldn’t go as far as saying we are inseparable – I like my own space every now and again and so does Toto.”

Nsiala jokes: “Me and Jon have known each other since we were 15/16. He’s just a great lad. I’ve probably spent too much time with him.

“Sometimes I go home and I’m acting like Jon and my missus doesn’t like it because he’s a grumpy one! It’s been great to progress with him.”

The modest Nsiala describes his game as ‘nothing special’, but Nolan disagrees.

“He’s a beast,” said the midfielder. “It’s rare to come across a centre-half with so much pace and when you add his power I’ve never seen anything like it. The fans are in for a treat there.”

On the strengths of his own game, Nolan – who looks to have been brought in as a direct replacement for Martyn Waghorn – added: “I’ll move things forward and I’m a good footballer. I’m not really a natural 10 but I can play in that position. I’m more of an eight, up and down, really.

Sir Alf Ramsey was one of Ipswich Town and England’s greatest-ever managers. Some would say he WAS the greatest. Few reporters had the access to Sir Alf as former EADT/Ipswich Star and Green’Un editor TONY GARNETT enjoyed. Here are some of his memories